GNR 2009 by custombacchus

What do you call lots of runners running together??  Group?  Field? Flock?  ONly reason this completely irrelevant thought has enterd my head is because I have started running with a running club twice a week.

It colud be a bit disheartening for those, like me, who have never done it before, or for a very long time.  Tuesday met at Trowbridge leaisure centre and no one to be seen. Fortunately a lady who mistakes me for someone else is dressed as a runner so I enquire as to where they meet and as fortune would have it she was one of the throng (THat's a good word).  Due to LM on sunday only 6 runners inc myself but still of we set around the Wiltshire countryside.  A very enjoyable edperience however having had tea rather than a snack I didn't make a very good first impression.

Thursday met at Bradford on Avon.  This seems more like the HQ somewhere to get changed and meeting pre-run.  Generally another enjoyable run despite the up-hills.  (I am having difficulty trying to decide if it is actually the up-hill I dislike, gravity for trying to push me down the hill while I am running/walking up it or the fact I am around the 20 stone mark combined with the uphill and gravity.

BOth routes were a mix of road and x-country and I have certainly noticed that more effort is require on the x-country/trails due to the surface.  And when the big sweeping downhills kick in at the weel at the point gravity (10m/s2) multiplied by 20 stone = massive increase in speed  and windmilling arms until almost not quite able to get legs forward quick enough but made up for poor uphill performance.

Still to early to decide if I prefer solo/duo running or running in a big group.  Both probably have benefits and hopefully running with a group of runners who are predominantly faster than I am will help increase my speed to achieve the sub 2hr GNR.

I live in eternal hope.  NO problems with the  knee last 3 runs,  whether this is due to x-country, new trail shoes or it just got better I don't know but I ain't complaining.

Good luck to Shazzoah in Jordan.

Get well soon Rod.  DOn't train while ill.  training lowers your immune system temporarily and could lead to illness getting worse. (yeah we know man-flu - no-one has ever been as ill as you are ......yada yada yada.  All the same look after yourself.

The rest of you keep on running.  Chatsworth Golden GAte 31st May anyone else going let me know.

Matt